Alec du Toit, 28, died after being stabbed in the chest on Friday August 4.
Windsor Park Neighbourhood Watch chairwoman Anita Krouse said Mr Du Toit, who had been patrolling with the watch for about 18 months, had responded to a call on the WhatsApp group about suspicious persons loitering in Tenant Street.
Ms Krouse said the security company that assists the watch with its patrols also responded to the call and “were behind him, but they got called away”.
“When they turned back, the incident had just happened. They were the first back on the scene,” Ms Krouse said, but Mr Du Toit had already died.
According to police, the incident took place at 8.35pm.
“On the same evening a suspect was arrested and investigation led to the arrest of a second suspect,” provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut said.
The second suspect was arrested on the morning of Sunday August 6, he said.
“Both suspects are in their twenties,” he said.
They appeared in Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on the morning of Monday August 7, on murder charges.
Speaking from outside the court, just after proceedings ended, Mawethu Sila, the Kraaifontein Community Police Forum chairman, said the CPF had supported the neighbourhood watch at court to oppose bail for the two men and the bid had been successful. They were remanded in custody and due to appear in court again on Wednesday September 20, he said.
The neighbourhood watch held a candlelight vigil for Mr Du Toit on Saturday August 5.
Writing on the Windsor Park Facebook page, Andre le Roux said: “Vanaand was die laaste vir Alec, ‘n buurtwaglid wat gisteraand sy lewe verloor het in die stryd teen misdaad. Daar was vanaand ‘n hele klomp mense, buurtwagmanne, sekuriteitsmanne, polisie, verkeersmanne en heelwat buurtwagmanne wat met ligte aan gery het na Kraaifontein toe.
“Daar was ‘n kort bymekaarkom gewees van ongeveer 200 mense. Kerse is aangesteek en balonne is in die lug gestuur ter nagedagte van Alec wat sy lewe gewaag het om sy buurt Kraaifontein veilig te hou.
“Wat ‘n onbaatsugtelike daad het hy nie gedoen nie. Hy was net op die verkeerde tyd op die verkeerde plek om sy buurt veilig te hou.”
Ms Krouse said the watch was lobbying to get more protective gear. Patrollers can carry pepper spray and tasers, but Ms Krouse said the watch felt protective vests were also necessary.
However, none of these items are issued to neighbourhood watches. They only get whistles, radios, torches and reflector vests after registering with the Department Community Safety .
Ms Krouse said the watch had, to date, bought the items they needed for themselves.
“He was stabbed in the chest,” she said. “We need protective jackets. If he was wearing one of these, it would have saved him.”
